Bose - SoundLink Flex (1st Gen)

Got mine for $80 apiece (the non-mic version) at Sams Club - bought 2 for stereo and am an audiophile and the sound quality is decent, however the connection app is very dysfunctional.

I got bose flex (1st gen) , pretty good. Just bought a Marshall acton iii, and the bose is no shame at all compared to that. Of course Marshall fills the room with and of course goes 10-20 Hz lower, so you can distinguish drum kicks better in rock music for example. So still like the Bose Flex as portable Bt speaker.

I tried several models during my search - Bose SL Flex (1 Gen), UE Hyperboom 4 and B&O Explore. The Bose by far sounded the best (out of the box - there’s no EQ) then the others (with EQ). I believe the 1st Gen can get a bit lower bass than Gen 2. If you can get a refurbished gen 1 direct from Bose it’s a pretty good price! If you get a pair I’m sure it will sound even better. I enjoy EDM and beats that have a bit more thump. Obviously the low, lows won’t produce in this size of speaker but the mid thumps are definitely there. For the size, the Bose (IMO) is the best sounding.

The Bose SL Plus will likely be a solid fit for you as Bose has a pretty balanced sound, out of the box. Not sure if you’re looking for indoor v outdoor but you might look into getting two SL Flex and setting them up in stereo mode. They sound incredible.

you are the minority that says luna is better. I am trying to select between soundlink flex 2 and luna and couldn't decide it yet. Currently I have bose soundlink flex 1 and I am quite happy about it however I am wondering if luna is better

I used in hikes it was sufficient however if you need extra voluma at outdoors and clarity you should go with flip series of jbl

I agree as well. I have 2 of the 1st Gen Bose Flex speakers and I use them in stereo mode most of the time. Using the app to pair the speakers in stereo is a PITA. I almost always pair the speakers by pushing the sequence of buttons manually.

I get it, but the professional reviews I have read indicate that the Emberton plays in stereo. No it's not the true separate 2 speakers which we all identify as stereo. But using the Emberton for a few years on the center island in the kitchen is great b/c it has sound projecting from both front and back of the speaker. I also have 2 1st gen Bose SL Flexes that can play in stereo. Although using Bose's app to set the speakers up in stereo mode is a PITA, using the push-button sequence to set them up in stereo is very reliable.

The JBL Charge 6 for $130 (regularly $200) is a great deal. It also might be worth considering the Charge 6 if you might purchase another JBL speaker in the future, where you can connect compatible JBL speakers with AuraCast. I own 2 of the 1st gen Bose SL Flex speakers. I listen to the Flexes in stereo almost all the time, I prefer more of a balanced sound (The Charge is not bad by any means, it's definitely capable of producing more bass). I have read the Flex 2s have less bass than the 1st gen Flex - that might eliminate them from consideration. I like the sound quality of the Flex 1s, they are not for everyone, plus the 1st gen Flex doesn't have an EQ - but I am good with their sound quality OOTB. The Charge is going to be more advanced with a 7 band EQ versus the Flex 2 only has a 3 band EQ. One thing about Bose, their app to connect speakers together can be unstable and a PITA. I almost always connect the Flexes with the pushbutton sequence instead, and that seems to work very well. I put up with this for now, but I am probably going to switch over to JBL, Sony, or something else in the future. Also gotta mention the Marshall Emberton II as well. It's going for $90 during BF weekend. I bought the 1st gen Emberton a few years ago on sale as well. I alternate between the Emberton and the 2 Bose Flex. Plus the Emberton has a great soundstage since it plays in stereo and has speakers front and back. If you wanted an absolute steal, I would echo what a few people mentioned below, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is going for $100, regular price $500. The downfall is it's not really a portable speaker and it's not water or dust proof, but the sound quality is damn good. And with that I will stop, Good, luck, and enjoy the new speaker.

I like both the Emberton and the Flex. I have both of these 1st gen speakers. still like them both. But when I pair 2 of the Flexes in Stereo Mode, they sound so damn good.

They are Gen 1. Could be a 5-10 second process but frequently it takes multiple attempts to get them to pair. Occasionally not at all. It’s finicky. If I can buy 2 that stay paired, without a downgrade, then that would be great.

Can't complain, it sounds good. I use it in a little home gym room.

Flex gen 1 owner here. Same thing. It blew me away. I love it to bits. Will get another for stereo.

If I find one cheap, I sure will, im not paying close to retail for it. 

Do they hold a steady connection ? BT speakers tend to have those issues especially JBL. And I absolutely will, I love my flex. 

Depends what your budget is. Go for second hand. A bose soundlink flex or soundcore motion boom 2 or 1. They're both budget friendly and have great bass extension, it wont reach the likes of my Boombox 3 but they will do the job for you. 

Soundlink flex, flip 7, charge 6, boombox 3, W-king x20. Sony ULT series. These are the best of the best. 

Beware in the “technical” opinions, I got robbed and lost my sound flex 1st, read some reviews and decided on buying a bar an and kardon Luna, since it was better you know. Honestly didn’t do much for me, ended up giving to my brother and bought soundflex2. For me the middle to low is better and like it, my brother does love the Luna in his office tho. So it really comes to how it actually sounds to you.

Yes! It's a great speaker for smashing tunes! I own 2 and they totally fixed the charge port issue!